Project 1:

In Nicki Minaj's new song, named "Anaconda", Minaj samples several verses from Sir Mix- A- Lot's "Baby Got Back." She uses the intro as well as several for verses to relate the theme of her new song to the 1992 classic

Removing Objects Project:
#1: Desert Chic
LV AD.jpg

#2: Explosions in Flight
Fighter Jet.jpgo

#3: Vancouver Nights
Vancouver Final.jpg

#4:Genius in Fire
Kanye Final.jpg

#5: Wheres Shamu?
Shamu.jpg

Mediated by a Mask Project:
#1: City of Lights
wallpaper_fromparis_eiffel_tower_1280 copy.jpg

#2: From Coast to Coast
From Coast to Coast.jpg


National Gallery of Art Response:

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Piece:
Watson and The Shark (1778)
John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)

John Singleton Copley, an American artist from Boston, painted Watson and The Shark in 1778. Copley was an acclaimed artist both in colonial America and in England, where he moved in 1774. He was most famous for creating unique portraits of the colonial middle-class in America.
Watson and The Shark is a particularly significant painting in Copley's artistic career. Painted when Copley lived in London, this piece was part of a historical art movement utilized by several artists at the time, based off historical events. The event depicted in this piece portray's the true story of Brook Watson. When he was fourteen years of age, Watson lost his leg to a shark attack in the Havana harbour. Watson commissioned Copley to depict the tale.
Although this is classified as a historical waiting, it is evident that the original events of Watson's tale have been romanticized to create a sense of drama. Copley places the shark's mouth just inches away from the boys head, instantly evoking a feeling of tension to the viewer. While members of the boat's crew is desperatley reaching towards Watson, he seems to be reaching upwards towards the heavens, possibly requesting divine intervention. In addition, the man with the spear creates intrigue by giving the boy a chance of survival. The sunny, calm harbour background juxtaposes this scene of utter chaos. Overall
There are many interesting manipulations possible with this piece. The focal point of this piece is obviously the boy and the shark. To give the painting a new meaning, replacing the boy with a modern environmental activist will create a new statement. This will give a new take on the man versus nature theme. An environmental activist, who's purpose is to conserve natural habitats, is placed in a dangerous situation in the very environment it meant to protect. Humans then choose the fate of the human over that of the shark and try to kill it, defeating the activist's purpose in the first place. Then, this piece will give the perspective of the (man vs. man) vs. nature conflict that is ever- present in today's society.
To further emphasize this message, there is several other manipulations possible. In the original painting the background is a very calm, traquil scene. The sun is shining and the water is calm. Perhaps by placing a mask over the bright sky and imputing some darker, more dreary hues, this would give the panting a sense of a post- apocalyptic environment . The same can be done with the water. As apposed to the turquoise water, a brown hue will give a sense of human pollution. Finally, I wish to juxtapose the 17th century ships in the harbor by inserting a modern ship along side the original ones. This will tie the piece together and really emphasize the new message of the work.
This piece portrays a romanticized version of a man's harrowing tale of loosing his leg. The piece really evokes a sense of drama and tension, telling a story, but leaving the ending up to the viewers imagination. It is an expectant example of a historical portrait with unique details about the subjects life. By introducing several manipulations, I can introduce a new meaning to this already captivating piece of artwork.

Cinemagraph Example
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This is a satire on the 21'st century idea of conservasitionism, environmental degradation and the conflict between man and nature.